Pakistan Muslim League

The Pakistan Muslim League (PML) was a conservative political party in Pakistan that existed from 1962 to 1988. The PML was founded by Ayub Khan in 1962 as successor to the original All-India Muslim League, which dissolved in 1958. The party generally supported economic liberalism, fiscal conservatism, and nationalism, but some factions argued over the ideals of centrism, a strong presidency, and a strong parliament. The pro-presidency Convention and the anti-presidency Council emerged as prominent factions within the party, which declined during the 1970s as Pakistan faced military defeats and political instability. In 1977, the PML was dissolved alongside the other political parties during the martial law period, although the party supported martial law. In 1985, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq tasked Muhammed Khan Junejo with organizing the PML into a party, and he divided it into the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and the Pakistan Muslim League (J). The party woulld continue to disintegrate as new factions would form over the years.